Research Projects and Summer Schools

John Cabot University’s MA program in International Affairs hosts, co-hosts or organizes a series of research projects and summer institutes that MA students may participate in as part of their coursework. These projects are directed or co-directed by John Cabot University faculty and engage with major international centers of policymaking in Rome and Italy, including United Nations agencies, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading international think tanks and global university institutes.

UNICRI SUMMER SCHOOL ON MIGRATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS

The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), in collaboration with John Cabot University, organizes an annual Summer School on Migration and Human Rights at John Cabot University in Rome (currently in its eighth edition). The Summer School is a one-week course shedding light on current issues related to international migration. Participants will be guided into the understanding of a variety of concepts, including, International migration, trafficking, and asylum laws, Internally displaced persons, Irregular migration, issues of human rights and security and the relationship between migration, development and integration.  

The Summer School offers professional, legal, social, scientific, and academic perspectives through theoretical lectures, group discussions, dynamic case studies, individual readings, and practical exercises. The faculty of the Summer School is composed of leading scholars and academics from John Cabot and other universities, representatives of the United Nations system, international human rights bodies, and civil society.

ROME SUMMER SEMINARS ON RELIGION AND GLOBAL POLITICS

The Rome Summer Seminars is a two-week program for graduate students, scholars and practitioners working at the crossroads of religion and global politics which is designed to draw on the unique religious and geopolitical resources of the city of Rome. The Seminars begin with a 2-day policy dialogue for senior scholars and practitioners followed by a 10-day writing workshop for students. Students attending the workshop will have the possibility to participate in the policy dialogue as observers.

The Seminars aspire to become a hub for innovative reflection on religion and politics and to form a new network of scholars and leaders equipped with the religious knowledge, academic training and policy expertise to effectively engage major policy debates on religion and global affairs. Students will explore key themes emerging in the field of religion and global politics and meet with religious leaders, scholars and policy-makers from across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

TOCHINA SUMMER SCHOOL

The TOChina Summer School is a two-week advanced training program in the politics, political economy and foreign policy of contemporary China developed in partnership with the TOChina Hub at the University of Turin and John Cabot University. The essence of the Summer School lies in welcoming emerging China hands and China-literate practitioners from all over the world to two of Italy's most dynamic cities, Turin and Rome, whilst being exposed to valuable insights and cutting-edge research agendas by some of the world's most accomplished scholars on contemporary China.

Thanks to the partnership between John Cabot University and the TOChina Hub, several qualified JCU students will be selected to participate in the program and will receive a full scholarship that covers tuition fees, accommodation in Turin and, partially, meals. JCU students will be lodged in double en-suite rooms at a student hall of the University of Turin, with the possibility of staying in a JCU residence in Rome (depending on availability), and one meal per day will be provided in both cities. All students interested in being considered for the program should apply directly through the application form at the TOChina website. 

Global Peace, Security and Strategic Studies SUMMER SCHOOL (Brussels)

Through a partnership with the Global Governance Institute in Brussels, MA students may participate in the annual Global Peace, Security and Strategic Studies Summer School. JCU will sponsor the application of at least one qualified student. The Global Governance Institute, the Belgian Royal Military Academy, and a network of senior scholars and policy-makers from international organizations (such as NATO, the European Union and the United Nations) team up every summer to deliver a unique 10-day intensive summer school from the political capital of Europe. This summer school brings together theoretical and policy-oriented perspectives from peace studies, security studies and strategic studies. Students will learn first-hand from some of the leading scholars and senior practitioners about major security challenges and how to apply concrete policy solutions in an integrative manner.

Experiential learning and networking will accompany each session and peer learning will be facilitated throughout the program. Participants will get ample opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions and debates with lecturers, Brussels-based practitioners, or fellow students, in order to build new long-lasting networks.

At the end of the intensive 10 days, students will apply and test their knowledge and understanding with the help of an interactive simulation. Students will be guided by experts from the field and will work in groups on a major issue related to global peace, security and strategy-making, through the lenses of governments, NGOs and international organizations.